GIPSIES are living on sites in Worcestershire that resemble concentration camps, a new study has claimed.

Evesham and Pershore Housing Association will publish research this week on the issue hailing it as the first of its kind in Britain.

The association says more than 1,000 travellers and gipsies living on Wychavon District Council land face poor living conditions and abuse.

The study - carried out by the University of Central England for EPHA and entitled Where's The Real Choice? - says travellers live in fear of violence and theft.

It also criticises the location of approved traveller sites, which are often hidden behind high fences and lines of trees.

"Many of the sites look like concentration camps," complained one traveller quoted in the study.

"When I watch World War Two films I can relate to the prisoners of war."

Another said that when travellers moved to permanent accommodation they regularly faced resentment and bigotry from people in Wychavon.

"Although my kids were born in this house they get called 'gippos'," said one person interviewed by the UCE team.

Wychavon residents viewed travellers as "grubby" and noisy people who shouted rather than talked and were prone to trespassing in neighbours' gardens.

Coun Malcolm Meikle, the leader of Wychavon District Council, declined to comment, saying the matter was one for the county council, which runs approved sites for gipsies and travellers.

Patricia Weale, Worcestershire County Council's unit manager for gipsy services, said the authority welcomed the report into the accommodation needs of travellers and viewed the study as "positive".

She said the council had been "actively involved" in the information-gathering process.

"Members will shortly be considering the findings," added Ms Weale.

"The sites form a small but significant part of the accommodation of the travelling community.

''Worcestershire County Council is always keen to seek and receive any ideas on improving the sites and the service."

The council was now hoping for Government cash with which to refurbish the sites, she said.